By Scoop Reporter
Lufwanyama District Health Director Joel Muntanga has emphasized the importance of transforming words into action and tangible outcomes in the fight to eliminate malaria in the area.
Dr Muntanga said Lufwanyama has the highest malaria cases among the districts on the Copperbelt and ranks among the top five districts with the highest malaria burden out of the 116 districts in the country.
Dr. Muntanga pointed out that malaria continues to be a major issue for the district, which is why all stakeholders must confront this challenge head-on.
Dr. Muntanga noted that the impact of malaria is most severe for children under five, pregnant women, and individuals with compromised immune systems, all of whom are less equipped to fight the disease. However, he expressed hope, stating that malaria is both preventable and treatable, with much more work needed in this area.
He acknowledged the progress made in recent years, such as increasing the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets and conducting indoor residual spraying. However, he emphasized that more must be done, as malaria reduces productivity and strains health systems.
Dr. Muntanga shared these statistics during an event commemorating World Malaria Day at Kamakanga Health Centre in Lufwanyama, which was held under the theme, “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite.”
“Despite these gains, much remains to be done. We must intensify collective action to address issues like poor drainage systems, which lead to stagnant water and promote mosquito breeding, potentially increasing malaria cases,” he said.
He encouraged residents to contribute to the fight against malaria by seeking medical care promptly and adopting other preventive measures.
The End Malaria Council (EMC) organized an event at the Chief’s palace to discuss strategies for ending malaria in the area, including the distribution of bicycles to community health workers.
Recently, Chief Lumpuma of the Lamba people in Lufwanyama expressed his concerns about the significant malaria burden in his community, urging the government and other organizations to provide more support in combating the disease.
Meanwhile, a representative of the End Malaria Council Justine Mumba called on organizations and individuals to participate in the “Donate a Bicycle” campaign to facilitate the movement of community health workers in their efforts to combat the disease.
Mr. Mumba emphasized that resources were crucial in the fight against malaria and that contributions from all stakeholders remain vital.